~ing and the infinitive
Units 52-65
23. Put the verb into the correct form.
1. How old were you when you learnt _to drive?_ (drive)
2. I don't mind _walking_ home but I'd rather _get_ a taxi. (walk, get)
3. I can't make a decision. I keep --- my mind. (change)
4. He had made his decision and refused --- his mind. (change)
5. Why did you change your decision? What made you --- your mind? (change)
6. It was a really good holiday. I really enjoyed --- by the sea again. (be)
7. Did I really tell you I was unhappy? I don't remember --- that. (say)
8. 'Remember --- Tom tomorrow.' 'OK. I won't forget.' (phone)
9. The water here is not very good. I'd avoid --- it if I were you. (drink)
10. I pretended --- interested in the conversation but really it was very boring. (be)
11. I got up and looked out of the window --- what the weather was like. (see)
12. I have a friend who claims. --- able to speak five languages. (be)
13. I like --- carefully about things before --- a decision. (think, make)
14. Steve used --- a footballer. He had to stop --- because of an injury. (be, play)
15. After --- by the police, the man admitted --- the car but denied --- at 100 miles an hour. (stop, steal, drive)
16. A: How do you make this machine ---? (work)
B: I'm not sure. Try --- that button and see what happens. (press)
24. Make sentences from the words in brackets.
1. I can't find the tickets. (I/seem/lose/them) _I seem to have lost them._
2. I haven't got far to go. (it/not/worth/take/a taxi) _It's not worth taking a taxi._
3. I'm feeling a bit tired. (I/not/fancy/go/out) ---.
4. Tim isn't very reliable. (he/tend/forget/things) ---.
5. I've got a lot of luggage. (you/mind/help/me,?) ---.
6. There's nobody in the house. (everybody/seem/go out) ---.
7. We don't like our flat. (we/think/move) ---.
8. The vase was very valuable. (1/afraid/touch/it) ---.
9. Bill never carries money with him. (he/afraid/robbed) ---.
10. I wouldn't go to see the film. (it/not/worth/see) ---.
11. I'm very tired after that long walk. (I/not/used/walk/so far) ---.
12. Sue is on holiday. I received a postcard from her yesterday. (she/seem/enjoy/herself) ---.
13. Dave had lots of holiday photographs. (he/insist/show/them to me) ---.
14. I don't want to do the shopping. (I'd rather/somebody else/do/ it) ---.
25. Complete the second sentence so that the meaning is similar to the first.
1. I was surprised I passed the exam. I didn't expect _to pass the exam._
2. Did you manage to solve the problem? Did you succeed _in solving the problem?_
3. I don't read newspapers any more. I've given up ---.
4. I'd prefer not to go out tonight. I'd rather ---.
5. He can't walk very well. He has difficulty ---.
6. Shall I phone you this evening? Do you want ---?
7. Nobody saw me come in. I came in without ---.
8. They said I was a cheat. I was accused ---.
9. It will be good to see them again. I'm looking forward ---.
10. What do you think I should do? What do you advise me ---?
11. It's a pity I couldn't go out with you. I'd like ---.
12. I'm sorry that I didn't take your advice. I regret ---.
Articles
Units 68-7
26. Put in a/an or the where necessary. Leave an empty space (-) if the sentence is already complete.
1. I don't usually like staying at (-) hotels, but last summer we spent a few days at _a_ very nice hotel by _the_sea.
2. --- tennis is my favourite sport. I play once or twice --- week if I can, but I'm not --- very good player.
3. I won't be home for --- dinner this evening. I'm meeting some friends after --- work and we're going to --- cinema.
4. --- unemployment is very high at the moment and it's very difficult for --- people to find --- work.
5. There was --- accident as I was going --- home last night. Two people were taken to --- hospital. I think --- most accidents are caused by --- people driving too fast.
6. Carol is --- economist. She used to work in --- investment department of --- Lloyds Bank. Now she works for --- American bank in --- United States.
7. A: What's --- name of --- hotel where you're staying?
B: --- Imperial. It's in --- Queen Street in --- city centre. It's near --- station.
8. I have two brothers. --- older one is training to be --- pilot with British Airways. --- younger one is still at --- school. When he leaves --- school, he hopes to go to --- university to study --- law.
Conjunctions
Units 25, 37, 111-11
27. Choose the right alternative.
1. I'll try to be on time but don't worry _if/when_ I'm late. (if is right)
2. Don't throw that bag away. _If/When_ you don't want it, I'll have it.
3. Please report to reception _if/when_ you arrive at the hotel.
4. We've arranged to play tennis tomorrow but we won't play _if/when_ it's raining.
5. Jennifer is in her final year at school. She still doesn't know what she's going to do _if/when_ she leaves.
6. What would you do _if/when_ you lost your keys?
7. I hope I'll be able to come to the party but I'll let you know _if/unless_ I can't.
8. I don't want to be disturbed, so don't phone me _if/unless_ it's something important.
9. Please sign the contract _if/unless_ you're happy with the conditions.
10. I like travelling by sea _as long as/unless_ it's not rough.
11. You might not remember the name of the hotel, so write it down _if/in case_ you forget it.
12. It's not cold now but take your coat with you _if/in case_ it gets cold later.
13. Take your coat with you and then you can put it on _if/in_ case it gets cold later.
14. The television is always on, _even if/if_ nobody is watching it.
15. _Even/Although_ we played very well, we lost the match.
16. We're not very close friends _despite/although_ we've known each other a long time.
17. 'When did you leave school?' '_As/When_ I was 16.'
18. Ann will be surprised _when/as_ she hears the news.
Prepositions (time)
Units 12, 118-121
28. Put in one of the following prepositions: at on in for since during by until
1. Jack has gone away. He'll be back _in_ a week.
2. We're having a party --- Saturday. Can you come?
3. I've got an interview next week. It's --- 9.30 --- Tuesday morning.
4. Sue isn't usually here --- weekends. She goes away.
5. The train service is very good. The trains are nearly always --- time.
6. It was a confusing situation. Many things were happening --- the same time.
7. I couldn't decide whether or not to buy the sweater --- the end I decided not to.
8. The road is busy all the time, even --- night.
9. I was woken up by a loud noise --- the night.
10. I saw Helen --- Friday but I haven't seen her --- then.
11. Brian has been doing the same job --- five years.
12. Ann's birthday is --- the end of March. I'm not sure exactly which day it is.
13. We've got some friends staying with us --- the moment. They're staying Friday.
14. If you're interested in applying for the job, your application must be received --- Friday.
Prepositions (place and other uses)
Units 122-127
29. Put in the missing preposition.
1. I'd love to be able to visit every country --- the world.
2. 'Have you read any books --- Margaret White?' 'No, I've never heard of her.'
3. 'Is there a bank near here?' 'Yes, there's one --- the end of this road.'
4. Tim is away at the moment, He's --- holiday.
5. You've got a dirty mark --- your cheek. Have a look --- the mirror.
6. We went --- a party --- Linda's house on Saturday.
7. Bombay is --- the west coast of India.
8. Look at the leaves --- that tree. They're a beautiful colour.
9. 'Have you ever been --- Tokyo?' 'No, I've never been --- Japan.'
10. Mozart died --- Vienna in 1791 --- the age of 35.
11. 'Are you --- this photograph?' 'Yes, that's me --- the left.'
12. We went --- the theatre last night. We had seats --- the front row.
13. 'Where's the light switch?' 'It's --- the wall . the door.'
14. What time did you arrive --- the party?
15. I couldn't decide what to eat. There was nothing --- the menu that I liked.
16. We live --- a tower block. Our flat is --- the fifteenth floor.
17. 'What did you think of the film?' 'Some parts were a bit stupid but --- the whole I enjoyed it.'
18. When you paid the hotel bill, did you pay --- cash or --- credit card?
19. 'How did you get here? --- the bus?' 'No --- car.'
20. A: I wonder what's --- television this evening. Have you got a newspaper?
B: Yes, the TV programmes are --- the back page.
Noun/adjective + preposition
Units 128-130
30. Put in the missing preposition.
1. The plan has been changed but nobody seems to know the reason --- this.
2. Don't ask me to decide. I'm not very good --- making decisions.
3. Some people say that Sue is unfriendly but she's always very nice --- me.
4. What do you think is the best solution --- the problem?
5. There has been a big increase --- the price of land recently.
6. He lives a rather lonely life. He doesn't have much contact --- other people.
7. Paula is a keen photographer. She likes taking pictures --- people.
8. Gordon got married --- a woman he met when he was studying at college.
9. He's very brave. He's not afraid --- anything.
10. I'm surprised --- the amount of traffic today. I didn't think it would be so busy.
11. Thank you for lending me the guide book. It was full --- useful information.
12. Please come in and sit down. I'm sorry --- the mess.
Verb + preposition
Units 131-135
31. Put in a preposition where necessary. If the sentence is already complete, leave an empty space (-).
1. She works quite hard. You can't accuse her --- being lazy.
2. Who's going to look --- your children while you're at work?
3. The problem is becoming serious. We have to discuss --- it.
4. The problem is becoming serious. We have to do something --- it.
5. I prefer this chair --- the other one. It's more comfortable.
6. I must phone --- the office to tell them I won't be at work today.
7. The river divides the city --- two parts.
8. 'What do you think --- the new manager?' 'She's all right, I suppose.'
9. Can somebody please explain --- me what I have to do?
10. 'Do you like staying at hotels?' 'It depends --- the hotel.'
11. 'Have you ever been to Borla?' 'No, I've never heard --- it. Where is it?'
12. You remind me --- somebody I knew a long time ago. You took just like her.
13. What's funny? What are you laughing ---.?
14. What have you done with all the money you had? What did you spend it ---.?
STUDY GUIDE
This guide is to help you decide which units you need to study. The sentences in the guide are grouped together (Present and past, Articles and nouns etc.) in the same way as the units in the Contents (page iii).
Each sentence can be completed using one or more of the alternatives (A, B, C etc.). There are between two and five alternatives each time. IN SOME SENTENCES MORE THAN ONE ALTERNATIVE IS POSSIBLE.
If you don't know or if you are not sure which alternatives are correct, then you probably need to study the unit(s) listed on the right. You will also find the correct sentence in this unit. (If two or three units are listed, you will find the correct sentence in the first one.)
There is a key to this study guide on page 343.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHICH IS RIGHT
Present and past
1.1 '--- this week?' 'No, she's on holiday.'
A. is Susan working B. Does Susan work C. Does work Susan (Unit 1, 3)
1.2 I don't understand this sentence. What ---?
A. does mean this word B. does this word mean C. means this word (Unit 4, 48)
1.3 John --- tennis once or twice a week.
A. is playing usually B. is usually playing C. usually plays D. plays usually (Unit 2, 3, 109)
1.4 How --- now? Better than before?
A. you are feeling B. do you feel C. are you feeling (Unit 4)
1.5 It was a boring weekend --- anything.
A. I didn't B. I don't do C. I didn't do (Unit 5)
1.6 Tom --- his hand when he was cooking the dinner.
A. burnt B. was burning C. has burnt (Unit 6, 14)
Present perfect and past
2.1 Jim is away on holiday. He --- to Spain.
A. is gone B. has gone C. has been (Unit 7)
2.2 Everything is going well. We --- any problems so far.
A. didn't have B. don't have C. haven't had (Unit 8)
2.3 Linda has lost her passport again. It's the second time this ---.
A. has happened B. happens C. happened (Unit 8, 13)
2.4 You're out of breath ---?
A. Are you running B. Have you run C. Have you been running (Unit 9)
2.5 Where's the book I gave you? What --- with it?
A. have you done B. have you been doing C. are you doing (Unit 10)
2.6 We're good friends. We --- each other for a long time.
A. know B. have known C. have been knowing D. knew (Unit 11, 10)
2.7 Sally has been working here ---.
A. for six months B. since six months C. six months ago (Unit 12)
2.8. It's two years Joe.
A. that I don't see B. that I haven't seen C. since I didn't see D. since I saw (Unit 12)
2.9. They --- out after lunch and they've just come back.
A. went B. have gone C. are gone (Unit 13, 14, 7)
2.10. The Chinese --- printing.
A. invented B. have invented C. had invented (Unit 13, 15)
2.11. Ian --- in Scotland for ten years. Now he lives in London.
A. lived B. has lived C. has been living (Unit 14, 11)
2.12. The man sitting next to me on the plane was nervous because he before ---.
A. hasn't flown B. didn't fly C. hadn't flown D. wasn't flying (Unit 15)
2.13. --- a car when they were living in London?
A. Had they B. Did they have C. Were they having D. Have they had (Unit 17)
2.14. I --- television a lot but I don't any more.
A. was watching B. was used to watch C. used to watch (Unit 18)
Future
3.1. --- tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere.
A. I'm not working B. I don't work C. I won't work (Unit 19, 21)
3.2. That bag looks heavy --- you with it.
A. I'm helping B. I help C. I'll help (Unit 21)
3.3. I think the weather --- be nice later.
A. will B. shall C. is going to (Unit 23, 22)
3.4. 'Ann is in hospital.' 'Yes, I know --- her tomorrow.'
A. I visit B. I'm going to visit C. I'll visit (Unit 23, 20)
3.5. We're late. The film --- by the time we get to the cinema.
A. will already start B. will be already started C. will already have started (Unit 24)
3.6. Don't worry --- late tonight.
A. if I am B. when I am C. when I'll be D. if I'll be (Unit 25)
Modals
4.1. The fire spread through the building quickly but everybody ---.
A. was able to escape B. managed to escape C. could escape (Unit 26)
4.2. The phone is ringing. It --- be Tim.
A. might B. can C. could (Unit 27, 29)
4.3. Why did you stay at a hotel when you went to New York? You --- with Barbara.
A. can stay B. could stay C. could have stayed (Unit 27)
4.4. I've lost one of my gloves. I --- it somewhere.
A. must drop B. must have dropped C. must be dropping D. must have been dropping (Unit 28)
4.5. Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It --- rain later.
A. may B. might C. can D. could (Unit 30)
4.6. What was wrong with you? Why --- go to hospital?
A. had you to B. did you have to C. must you (Unit 31)
4.7. There's plenty of time. You --- hurry.
A. don't have to B. mustn't C. needn't (Unit 31, 32)
4.8. It was a great party last night. You --- come. Why didn't you?
A. must have B. should have C. ought to have D. had to (Unit 33)
4.9. Jane --- a car.